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After Hours (1985)
Good, but not great
There is much to enjoy in this movie, with some very good directing by Scorsese. I think my main problem with this film is that the best scenes come early, mainly the scenes involving Rosanna Arquette's character. She gets some of the funniest lines in the movie and the awkward tension between her and Paul set a great tone for the film. However, once her character exits the scene, I felt things began to sag a bit. I didn't find the characters played by John Heard or Catherine O'Hara to be particularly engaging.
The Perfection (2018)
I didn't regret watching it
I would assign this movie to the genre of lesbian revenge against evil white males flicks, which describes it pretty well. That being said, I thought it delivered enough unexpected twists, intense moments, and thrills to recommend it. Sure, the story is a bit implausible (as these films often are) and the plot depends on everything happening just right (as usual), but the actresses are terrific. It is disturbing and gory at times, but why would you watch a film like this is that bothered you?
Amarcord (1973)
Boring and Pointless
I had to eventually fast forward through the last third of the film. So uninteresting. I say this as a huge fan of La Strada, Nights of Cabiria, La Dolce Vita and 81/2. The film became momentarily interesting with the depiction of the fascists, and there is the delightfully politically incorrect scene of the emir and his harem, but then we get 20 minutes of the guy who won't come down from a tree. Some directors just have so many good films in them, then the muse vanishes.
La battaglia di Algeri (1966)
Amazing look at terrorism
This is great film-making, you truly believe you are watching a documentary. The pacing is just right, the action seems real and the performances are wonderful. It is just fascinating to watch. But in this post-9/11 world, it does put this film in a different light. Are we to admire the characters that shoot people in the back and plant bombs in crowded cafes? Ironically, Algeria struggled for many years with its own internal civil war with terrorist groups.
Independent Lens: Crips and Bloods: Made in America (2009)
very one-sided
Slickly made, but very one-sided. This comes across as just a sustained apology for black criminality. Plenty of people came out of South Central during these years and made something of themselves. Where are the opposing viewpoints? Gangs are somehow a legitimate voice of dissent?
Hidden Figures (2016)
pretty good movie
Overall, this movie was about what I expected. A well-done, feel good movie, that takes a few liberties with the real life experiences of these women. The performances were certainly good and the movie never dragged. My main criticism was it was a bit predictable at times. For example, when Katherine enters into the workroom for the first time, you just knew that someone was going to mistake her for a janitor! In reality, Katherine said in interviews that she was treated very well in her workplace and felt no prejudice. The best thing about the movie is that it will hopefully encourage people to read the book on which it is based.
UnREAL (2015)
perfect encapsulation of American "culture" today
Sort of a degenerate parody of insipid U.S. reality shows. The Bachelor is bad, but this is worse. Endless profanity, sexual titillation morally bankrupt characters. Represents well how bad culture is today in the U.S. And Quinn? Truly awful to watch. No redeeming value whatsoever. I only sort of watch because my wife watches it! I have only seen part of season two. Do people believe that any of this represents real people? Danger is that people will think that this sort of stuff actually happens. Good lord I hope not. Almost impossible to find uplifting TV these days. I fear more shows like this will be made, however. Depressing.